Time savers... on sanding.

Tools you like...tools you hate...
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Zach
Boat Obsession Medal Finalist
Posts: 684
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:28 pm
Location: Beaufort, North Carolina
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Time savers... on sanding.

Post by Zach »

So...

Two things that will save you time on sanding... I'm pretty sure everyone that doesn't find themseleves in a zen-like state while sanding, abhors the act of longboarding.

The first is a sheet metal spreader. http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/ ... o=COS+1102

Plastic spreaders drag a mound in the middle that is higher than the rest. I use a stainless steel sheetrock taping knife to pull across the fairing compound after using a plastic spreader. A sheet metal spreader though, lets you pull a skim coat that feathers out and only fills the lows. It doesn't correct for big swoops that only a foot or two long taping knife can pull out, but it saves a lot of sanding on something that is already pretty true.

The next time saver... is a flexible long board. Duragold makest hem...http://www.tcpglobal.com/kustomshop/ksk ... #SuperFlex

16 inch versions are about perfect as they take standard inline paper. I use sungold abrasives zirconium paper, as its lasts a long time and is inexpensive... It's what my local marine supplier stocks, I try to send enough business their way to keep the lights on. Grin.

In 36 grit, a super flex block takes the highs off and feathers them out to nothing. In 80 grit a firm and flex fairs the last of it out to nothing.

When things get real close on flat surfaces, I switch over to a hutchins flexible long board. http://www.tcpglobal.com/proautotools/I ... o=HUT+5501

Versus using a flat wooden longboard, or my homemade flexible plastic rig these goodies save a lot of time on curved surfaces... and on flat surfaces the slight flex takes off the high spots much fasther.

Your mileage may vary, but if you do a lot of sanding... you might find these tools helpful.

Have fun,

Zach
1961 Pearson Triton
http://pylasteki.blogspot.com/
1942 Coast Guard Cutter - Rebuild
http://83footernoel.blogspot.com/
Commander-147
Rough Carpentry Apprentice
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed May 13, 2009 8:14 am
Boat Name: Destiny
Boat Type: Pearson Commander
Location: Brooksville, FL

Re: Time savers... on sanding.

Post by Commander-147 »

Zack

Like you I have been using a combination of plastic spreaders, 6" and 12" drywall knifes and long boards. But the new idea to me was your sheet metal spreader. The link you provided does not show a picture so could you tell me are the ones you are using like the Coster Steel Auto Body Spreaders ones in this post? You might need to scroll to see it on the page.


http://www.glenterprises.biz/products.p ... ySpreaders
Jerry Carpenter
Commander # 147 "Destiny"
Zach
Boat Obsession Medal Finalist
Posts: 684
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:28 pm
Location: Beaufort, North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Time savers... on sanding.

Post by Zach »

Jerry,

Yup... same sheet metal spreaders.

Zach
1961 Pearson Triton
http://pylasteki.blogspot.com/
1942 Coast Guard Cutter - Rebuild
http://83footernoel.blogspot.com/
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